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ATAS information for postgraduate research students

Before starting your application for ATAS, please ensure that you read the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office guidance for making your application very carefully. Failure to answer any of the questions will lead to delays in the processing of your ATAS application. 

Recent changes to ATAS requirements

Research workers coming to the UK are now subject to ATAS as well as students.  It is important that when applying for ATAS clearance, postgraduate research students should select 'Taught/research student' and NOT 'Researcher' as the term 'Researcher' is meant for research workers.  Applying under the incorrect category will result in significant delays in being granted ATAS approval.

Visiting students

If you are coming to the University as a visiting student for any period of time on any of the courses listed below, you will need an ATAS certificate.  ATAS is required irrespective of visa type.

Exemptions to the ATAS requirement

Please note that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office considers nationals of some countries to be exempt from requiring ATAS. You can find the list of exempt nationals in Appendix ATAS of the Immigration rules (paragraph ATAS 3.1 exempt nationals).

Postgraduate research courses requiring ATAS:

Some of these programmes include taught modules, which must be listed on your ATAS application. The relevant module list for each course can be found in the programme specification document that was sent to you with your offer. If your course includes taught modules, you must provide the full list of modules available to you on your course when submitting your ATAS application. Do not submit a list of only those modules you intend to study. 

If you are studying for a research degree, when applying for your ATAS you must also submit the research statement that has been specifically agreed with the university and a personal statement as well as any taught modules that you will take.

 

Research in the field of Biological Sciences

All research undertaken in the field of Biological Sciences will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

Research in the field of Business and Management 

Some research undertaken in the field of business will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 codes will be:

 

Research in the field of Chemistry

All research undertaken in the field of chemistry will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

Research in the field of Clinical Ethics and Law

All research undertaken in the field of Clinical Ethics and Law will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

Research in the field of Computing

All research undertaken in the field of computing, including Web Science will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

Research in the field of Ecology and Environmental Science

All research undertaken in the field of Ecology and Environmental Science, including Freshwater Science and Wildlife Conservation will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

Research in the field of Engineering 

All research undertaken in the field of engineering will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 codes will be:

 

Research in the field of Electronic and Electrical Engineering 

All research undertaken in the field of Electronic and Electrical Engineering will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

Research in the field of Geography 

All research undertaken in the field of Geography will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

Research in the field of Mathematics 

All research undertaken in the field of Mathematics will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

  

Research in the field of Medicine 

All research undertaken in the field of Medicine will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 codes will be:

 

Research in the field of Physics 

All research undertaken in the field of Physics will require ATAS. 

The relevant CAH3 code will be:

 

If you are unsure which code is associated with your area of research, please contact the ATAS team atas@soton.ac.uk 

If you are applying to extend your visa, you must apply for an new ATAS certificate at least four months before your current visa expires.

 

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